The Rapid Uptake of Digital Technologies at Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Organizations During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Storer, Heather L.; Nyerges, Eva X.
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 29:Number 5(2023)
• Page Start: 1085
• Page End: 1096
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- intimate partner violence -- digital technologies -- organizational practices; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/10778012221094066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault (DV/SA). This research note explores DV/SA service providers' ( n = 20) perceptions of how their organizations responded to the pandemic. Results of a thematic content analysis indicated that survivors were adversely affected by sheltering with abusive partners and by external environmental conditions. Organizations responded to shifting community needs by adapting face-to-face services to virtual formats and revising pre pandemic safety planning protocols. School-based prevention programming required significant adjustments. Therefore, the pandemic catalyzed the integration and optimization of emerging technologies and provided opportunities for organizational innovation.